Museveni Calls for Peaceful Resolution of Tooro Kingdom Succession Dispute

FORT PORTAL, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has called on the people of Tooro to peacefully and legally resolve the ongoing dispute over the succession of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Museveni said the government is ready to work with the next King of Tooro once the matter surrounding the kingdom’s new monarch has been resolved through peaceful and lawful means.

The President’s message was delivered by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa during the burial service of the late King Oyo at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Museveni Acknowledges Tooro Succession Dispute

President Museveni’s remarks appeared to acknowledge that disagreements remain over the leadership of Tooro Kingdom despite the Babiito Clan declaring Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new king.

The President said the government would be prepared to work with whoever emerges as the next monarch once the succession matter is peacefully resolved.

“When the issue of the new king of Batooro is resolved, we shall be happy to work with the new king as we did with His Highness Oyo,” Museveni said.

He appealed to the people of Tooro to avoid division and instead seek unity while resolving the dispute.

“I appeal to the Batooro to use peaceful and legal means to resolve this matter and also look for maximum unity instead of division.”

Babiito Clan Declares Prince Edward Rukidi New King

Earlier during King Oyo’s final send-off, Prince Charles Akiiki Kamurasi, the Musuuga and head of the Babiito Clan, announced that Tooro Kingdom had a new king.

Kamurasi declared Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the successor to the late King Oyo, saying the selection was conducted according to the customs and traditions of Tooro Kingdom as well as the laws of Uganda.

The new monarch was declared King Edward Rukidi Nabongo I.

According to Kamurasi, princes and princesses participated in the process under his leadership before the decision was made.

However, the announcement has continued to face opposition from some members of the late king’s family.

Princess Ruth Komuntale Rejects Succession Decision

Princess Ruth Komuntale, the sister of the late King Oyo, has rejected the declaration of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new King of Tooro.

She maintains that her late brother reportedly left a will naming his son as the heir to the throne.

Other senior members of the royal family, including Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, King Oyo’s paternal aunt, and Margaret Komubaizi, the Assistant Batebe of Tooro, have also supported the family’s position.

They argue that consultations concerning the late monarch’s reported will had not been completed before the Babiito Clan announced a new king.

The disagreement has created uncertainty over the succession process, with both sides maintaining different positions on how the next monarch should be selected.

Museveni Pays Tribute to Late King Oyo

In his message, President Museveni described King Oyo as an important cultural leader who maintained a strong working relationship with the central government.

Museveni said the late monarch avoided conflict with the government by concentrating on his cultural responsibilities and encouraging development among his people.

“He was a good leader of culture that never clashed with the central government because he remained in his lane of culture and mobilising people for development,” Museveni said.

The President described King Oyo’s death as a major loss to Tooro Kingdom and Uganda.

“It is a big loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Museveni Explains Role of Uganda’s Cultural Leaders

President Museveni also used his message to explain the role of traditional and cultural leaders in Uganda.

He said cultural institutions restored in 1993 were intended to preserve Uganda’s cultures, languages and customs rather than participate in politics, administration or legislation.

“The cultural leaders restored in 1993 are not for politics, administration or legislation. He or she is for culture which includes language and customs.”

Museveni said cultural leaders play an important role in protecting indigenous languages and traditions that could disappear in modern society.

He argued that traditional institutions are better positioned to preserve cultural values and customs that may not easily be protected through government structures alone.

The President also highlighted the importance of cultural leaders in protecting local languages and traditional customs among different communities.

Cultural Institutions Can Support Development

Museveni further said cultural leaders can play an important role in promoting economic development and wealth creation among their people.

According to the President, while traditional leaders should remain focused on cultural responsibilities, they can still mobilise communities to participate in productive economic activities.

His comments come at a crucial time for Tooro Kingdom as the region mourns the death of King Oyo while facing disagreements over who should officially succeed him.

The government has now urged the people of Tooro to remain peaceful and united as the succession matter is addressed.

Museveni said the central government remains ready to work with the next King of Tooro once the succession dispute is resolved through peaceful and legal means.

The developments surrounding the Tooro Kingdom succession are expected to remain closely watched as the different parties seek clarity over the future leadership of one of Uganda’s oldest cultural institutions.